If you all received a notif yesterday of an update, sorry my mistake. I thought yesterday was Thursday. ^^;
I read one theory that there could be miraculous for the western zodiac. Like how the Graham de Vanily's twin rings could be the Gemini miraculous
•●•●•●•●•
Nothing exciting happens in the month after that. There's barely any progress with my relationship with Grimm since we hardly talked besides the occasional exchange of insults. Maybe God has granted me a short reprieve since neither Gabriel nor Nathalie has given me a new errand since the Reflekta incident. On the other hand, not receiving any orders is making me feel on edge.
However, what I'm most worried about is that not only did I leave my sugar cookies in Adrien's room, I haven't patched things up with him. He's usually the better person of the both of us and would apologise first after a fight. But then again, I feel like the only one at fault this time. He means so much to me especially since we grew up together when I moved to Paris. He used to concede and do anything I asked when we were kids- not wanting me to end up crying or fuming. If I close my eyes and try to recall my oldest memory, it 's the first time I met Adrien in summer camp. I was never alone- he was always there beside me.
I want to be stronger for him so I steered away from my quiet and glum behaviour as a child and made the effort to be bright and bold like Emilie- someone who he could rely on. I wore cheery colours like my sky blue clothes and flash a vibrant smile at not just him, but to any of my peers. I couldn't break- shouldn't break. If I do, Adrien would break too. Eventually, my facade eventually hardened into what I believe is my true self now- bubbly and optimistic.
I promised myself that not even working for Paris' super villain would break my winning streak. But I think managing my arrogant, self-absorbed kwami will finally be the end of me.
"You're doing it wrong," Grimm says as he gestures to my palm. "When you use Oblivion, close your hand into a fist. Don't jut out your fingers- they're not cat claws. Clench them or else Oblivion would explode directly onto your face."
I clench my fist as hard as I could, turning it white. Just get this over with. It's just hand positions why do I have to practise this?
"Selene?" Luka's voice pulls me out from my train of thought. "Are you all right?"
"She is. She is simply
as impatient as during the last period before class ends."
I ignore Grimm, dropping my hand onto my lap. "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling in the mood right now."
"Did something happen in school?" Luka guesses- as always, right on point.
Grimm cackles as a fume in annoyance. I practically dive into the new subject. "There's this new girl in my class. And she's a massive, two-faced, lying witch!"
"That's a bit terrifying since I'm enrolling to your school," Luka jokes.
"She's been complaining about the girl for a week now," Grimm says, amused at my reaction. "It's mainly because the girl has stolen her seat beside Adrien."
"Get this, she switched places with me at the front because she claimed to have a hearing problem!" I say, quoting on the last two words. "Now I sit all the way at the back! And since my life couldn't get anymore delirious, I ended up beside Marinette- the only other girl crushing on Adrien." I pull my hair in frustration. "Gaaaah!"
"You're being dramatic" Grimm says. "Besides, you and Adrien have been giving each other the cold shoulder since you kids fought."
"That's right," Luka, the traitor, agrees with Grimm. "You're so worried about Adrien, you should apologise and make up."
"First of all, don't call me a kid," I say, glaring at Grimm. "Second of all, it's easier said than done."
"Is it really?" Luka says, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't give me that look. You only give me that look when I'm being obnoxious."
Luka nods, making me even more irritated. "Calm down, Selene. You're overexerting yourself. The last thing you need to is to break."
I look up at him surprised.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
My eyes trail downwards in confusion. "Not exactly."
The door to the living room opens and Grimm dives behind a pillow before Mrs Couffaine enters. "Hey, sailors. I'll be running errands for a while. The snacks are in the kitchen cupboard and call me when Juleka returns."
"Thanks for having me here again, Mrs Couffaine," I say.
"I'm always happy to see you visit, lass," Mrs Couffaine says, winking. She closes the door as she leaves.
"Tell me honestly." Luka says, returning to the problem at hand. "Is this girl the real reason you look so anxious?"
"No," I mumble, sinking onto the sofa. "Lately, things have been getting so difficult that I can barely manage it. Adrien, school, powers.- I can hardly tolerate Grimm too."
"The feeling is mutual, princess." Grimm emerges again.
"You can't get along just because you have to. You both need to start a real foundation like how anyone befriends anyone," Luka says. "How about this. Selene, you said you've had your miraculous for as long as you remember. Why did decide to use it now?"
Silence engulfs the room. Not even Grimm makes a witty remark.
I trail finger over the ribbon on my collar. Looking away, a reply slowly. "I-i can't tell you that."
Over the past month, Luka has told me everything he knows about my miraculous. It's history, abilities, side effects- everything and more. Slowly but surely, I find myself telling Luka everything I knew too until we both proceeded to talking about anything in particular such as ourselves.
I know that he's Juleka's older brother- calm and playful and listens to Jagged Stone religiously. He's the complete epitome of easygoing that I'm surprised he isn't as popular as Adrien at school- he could be getting there though. I think he's also incredible at playing guitar although I'm not so musically inclined. Likewise, Luka discovered a lot about me. He knows of my sweet tooth, my commitment to binge watching my favourite TV shows, my hatred towards Grimm and so much more.
But I drew the line between my normal life and the one I keep hidden such as working for Hawkmoth and my life before Paris. I mentally remind myself that I shouldn't be so comfortable around him or else I might spill secrets that I'd usually carry to the grave.
"I'm sorry. That may have been too personal."
"It's nothing to feel bad about, but if you keep playing that guitar of yours," I say- a silent plea to change the subject. He catches on quick to my relief, and strums a simple tune. Somehow, the new melody piques my interest. "What's that song?
"I made it on the spot," Luka boasts.
I listen to it carefully- my curiosity growing. I feel like I've heard of it before.
"It sounds familiar," Grimm voices out my exact thoughts.
"Maybe it's because I based it off on both of you." Luka continues to play chords in a strange pattern but nevertheless, it stirs something inside me like requiem of something long ago.
"That's very beautiful," I say honestly. There's nobody who expressed music more passionately the way Luka does. Instead of the pop and rock n roll genre ubiquitous in Paris, his music is more slow-paced and heartfelt. It's like reading a poem carefully and patiently until the hidden message becomes apparent.
We lock gazes and I drown in his ocean eyes. His lip curl into a gentle smile. "It is."
•●•●•●•●•
I return home with Grimm before evening, opening the door to my room. Grimm gives me sideways glance before retreating into my closet. He's probably going to bed- suspending upside down on one of my cloth hangers.
I exhale in frustration. If I want progress, I'll have to set things right with him, but I feel like I've completely failed already.
Plopping onto my sofa, I rub my temple. No, don't think like that. That's not a very Selene way of acting. I haven't failed unless I'm dead. I need to keep reminding myself who I'm doing this for- for Emilie to come back and for Adrien to smile genuinely again.
I march up to the closet and slam it open. The noise thrusts Grimm out from his slumber. His tail, coiled around the hanger, uncurls in surprise, but I catch him in my cupped palms before he could fall.
"What do you want?" He asks, baffled.
"I'm going to say this straight," I say assertively. "I'm not waiting around for something to happen or give you leeway anymore. We're going to talk and have some closure and then we'll be friends whether you like it or not."
He looks at me, unimpressed. "I refuse."
"Well, sorry but no. This is for your own good and mine too!" I return to my sofa and sink into it with Grimm still in hand. Atleast he didn't try to escape. "I'm sorry all right?"
The sudden change of atmosphere catches him off guard. "Pardon?"
"I know I'm nothing like my dad, especially when I can hardly remember how he's like," I mumble. "I can't be as good as him, but I still need you to listen to me."
He eyes me reproachfully and folds his tiny arms, but he doesn't object, so I imply it as a go-ahead.
"Rule number one, no more belittling each other. No more quips, insults, snappy attitude and anything like it and I'll treat you the same."
"Am I still allowed to criticise you? Such as your techniques."
"Yes. Rule number two, whenever you go off to somewhere, tell me first. I don't want you disappearing and then I have to search for you like the closet."
"Allow me to digress." He glances away. "You could return me to the box, you know? We both clearly understand how we both despise each other." His voice softens the longer he speaks until it's just a deep rumble.
"No," I say, surprisingly gentle. I look away.
"I..." Grimm begins, wavering. "My abilities were not enough to protect your father in the Midnight incident. I'm so sorry."
I needed a minute to comprehend his every word. When was the last time someone mentioned the Midnight incident? I shake my head. "We don't have to talk about that. That's rule number three."
"As you wish," he replies.
I take in a deep breath and release a long exhale. When I turn to face him again I say, "Now that's settled. I think I should practise my abilities."
•●•●•●•●•
This was mostly just conversations, but I honestly think there should be more interactions between a kwami and a holder. If Nooroo was more involved in the show, I think it would have been a interesting dynamic if he had stood up against Hawkmoth for the belief of using miraculous for good and not evil.